Apple kills original HomePod, will focus on $ 99 HomePod Mini

Apple said on Friday that it had removed its original HomePod and would switch to the smaller version of its smart home assistant, the HomePod Mini.

“We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will remain available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Resellers,” Apple said in a statement, previously reported by TechCrunch. “We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini.”

Read more: Apple HomePod Mini features you need to know: every tip and trick we’ve found

Apple will continue to provide existing HomePods with software updates and support through Apple Care, the company said.

The HomePod Mini launched in November of last year, costing $ 99 compared to the original $ 300 HomePod. When released in 2018, CNET critic Megan Wollerton praised her “stellar” sound, but said it didn’t offer as many features as competing speakers powered by Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. “If you and everyone you live with have an Apple device and are confident that you have an Apple smart home, the HomePod is worth a close look,” she wrote at the time.

The HomePod Mini also received praise from CNET critic Molly Price for its sound when it was released in 2020, with a note that the lower price made it much more attractive. “The HomePod Mini is also up to par that Apple wants to do with offerings from Google and Amazon, and I would recommend it to anyone investing in the Apple universe,” she wrote.